Kilted in Italy

[Adalan]

I was wondering if anyone has any kilted experiences from Italy. My wife and I are heading there for our one year anniversary and I am thinking about bringing along my new utilikilt (either the workman or survival, birthday is coming and she won't tell me which one I am getting). I was just curious if anyone had any advice or experiences to share.

We'll be spending three days in Rome, two in Florence, and two in Venice.

Thanks!

[Scott West]

Adalan: I lived for 2 years in the small northern Italian town of Montichiari (halfway between Milan and Verona). Although I lived there before I began kilting, I can tell you the everyday Italian mode of dress is slightly dressier than stateside. For eveningwear they are usually dressed very attractively, even if simply going to the pizzeria. As you want to wear a UK, I wouldn't think you would receive attention in Rome (too many tourists wearing wild things) or Florence (too close to Milan with tourists buying/wearing wild modern styles). Venice, however, might be a bit of a challenge. Attitudes and social acceptance in Italy varies as one travels north-to-south-to-north. Overall, social temperament in SOUTH Italy is more "whatever" (undoubtedly due to the ever-present, profuse tourists). Temperament in NORTH Italy is a little more reserved, except when near the fashion centers. Overall, I don't think you'll have any trouble wherever you go. Even though two Italians simply talking about the weather appear they are about to break into a fight, the Italian people are warm and very welcoming. Break out your UK, you'll have a great time. (and before you go, learn some language/phrases to use while there - they love that!)

[MacRobert's Reply]

The only negative comment I had wearing a kilt in Venice was from an Englishman. However, this was during carnival and I was in full Scottish Highland dress. This was a late 18th Century version as we were attending one of the 18th Century masked balls. The only down side was constantly being asked to pose for photographs.

[GG]

Adalan, my wife and I have travelled a lot in Italy and Scott West is right about Italians dressing much more up than in most other countries and men, too.

Often we say that men’s wardrobe is somewhat boring and here we might thing of colors, where we seem to prefer black, grey, dark blue and brown. Italian men are not afraid of wearing red or orange trousers.

For them it is, I suppose, a question of appearing. They prefer fine titles on the business card, rather than high salaries and so on.

That, however, does in no way mean that you as a tourist can look different (worse). We have during several years rented a small and most beautiful house for a week or a fortnight in a very small community outside Lucca (Tuscany).

Here I have walked around in my (tartan) kilts and the local people have waved heartedly their hands from their cars and smiled when seeing me on my walks.

And I have been walking around in Rome with no problems at all, including been into churches. In Verona, too.



I cannot imagine Utilikilts should not be accepted. Have a very nice trip. It is a lovely country.

Greg

[Ancienne Alliance]

Please check out these links :

http://www.xmarksthescot.com/forum/f...k-italy-39222/

http://www.xmarksthescot.com/forum/f...bourree-36169/

Best,

Robert

[Andrewson]

I have worn the kilt in Rome without any comment from the natives or the other tourists. Indeed my wife and I were welcomed to that city by the pipes and drums of the City of Rome Pipe Band playing, in full highland dress, on the Spanish Steps. When I got to speak to the Pipe Major I discovered he was a Scot from Paisley but he said the rest of the band was Italian.